10 Overshadowed Summer 2014 Movies To See

If you’ve already seen “Blue Ruin” and “The Raid 2” and now have a taste for overshadowed movies instead of your below-average blockbuster, maybe you could try on some more of our underdog film selections for the big upcoming summer movie season from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

See: Cold in July (May 23)

Skip: Blended, X-Men: Days of Future Past

Dexter Morgan might no longer exist, but Michael C. Hall hasn't quit with the murder mysteries. After shooting a man in his own home, Richard Dane tries to convince cops that the man they think he shot - a wanted fugitive - is not the same man he knows he shot. While trying to figure out just what's going on, the burglar's ex-con father, played by Sam Shepard, comes knocking on his door and he wants to do a little more than talk.

If you’ve already seen “Blue Ruin” and “The Raid 2” and now have a taste for overshadowed movies instead of your below-average blockbuster, maybe you could try on some more of our underdog film selections for the big upcoming summer movie season from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.

See: Cold in July (May 23)

Skip: Blended, X-Men: Days of Future Past

Dexter Morgan might no longer exist, but Michael C. Hall hasn't quit with the murder mysteries. After shooting a man in his own home, Richard Dane tries to convince cops that the man they think he shot - a wanted fugitive - is not the same man he knows he shot. While trying to figure out just what's going on, the burglar's ex-con father, played by Sam Shepard, comes knocking on his door and he wants to do a little more than talk.

IFC Films

See: Night Moves (May 30)

See Before: A Million Ways to Die in the West

Anybody curious as to how suspenseful and dark Jesse Eisenberg can get for his upcoming role as Lex Luthor will enjoy getting a glimpse in this thriller alongside Dakota Fanning. The two of them get set to be radical environmentalists on the run with the help of a friend, played by Peter Sarsgaard. The question leading up to their fleeing after completing their mission, blowing up a hydroelectric dam, is which of them can be trusted, as the tension mounds and their task grows nearer.

See: Night Moves (May 30)

See Before: A Million Ways to Die in the West

Anybody curious as to how suspenseful and dark Jesse Eisenberg can get for his upcoming role as Lex Luthor will enjoy getting a glimpse in this thriller alongside Dakota Fanning. The two of them get set to be radical environmentalists on the run with the help of a friend, played by Peter Sarsgaard. The question leading up to their fleeing after completing their mission, blowing up a hydroelectric dam, is which of them can be trusted, as the tension mounds and their task grows nearer.

Maybach Film Productions

See: Obvious Child (June 6)

Skip: Edge of Tomorrow

Edge of tomorrow, day after tomorrow, tomorrow never dies, who gives a f**k? Jenny Slate – you may know her as the potty-mouthed sister of scumbag Jean-Ralphio on “Parks and Recreation” – offers an honest, real-to-life comedic performance of a small-time stand-up comedian who goes through a break-up only to meet a nice guy, played by Jake Lacy from the final season of “The Office,” and get pregnant. Now the hilariously heartbroken has a big decision to make and a lot of close people to bounce her hilarious reactions off of in one of summer’s underdog comedies. Plus, nobody needs to see another film of Tom Cruise fighting a future that’ll never come.

See: Obvious Child (June 6)

Skip: Edge of Tomorrow

Edge of tomorrow, day after tomorrow, tomorrow never dies, who gives a f**k? Jenny Slate – you may know her as the potty-mouthed sister of scumbag Jean-Ralphio on “Parks and Recreation” – offers an honest, real-to-life comedic performance of a small-time stand-up comedian who goes through a break-up only to meet a nice guy, played by Jake Lacy from the final season of “The Office,” and get pregnant. Now the hilariously heartbroken has a big decision to make and a lot of close people to bounce her hilarious reactions off of in one of summer’s underdog comedies. Plus, nobody needs to see another film of Tom Cruise fighting a future that’ll never come.

Rooks Nest Entertainment/A24

See: The Rover (June 13)

Skip: 22 Jump Street

A thriller revenge story about a lonesome fellow, Eric, in the Australian outback, played by a rugged Guy Pearce, who is robbed of his one worldly possession in a time of loose lawfulness makes his mission to chase and hunt down the very men who stole from him using one of their own, played by a thuggish Robert Pattinson. And when they get there, there's nothing Eric won't do for his goddamn car.

See: The Rover (June 13)

Skip: 22 Jump Street

A thriller revenge story about a lonesome fellow, Eric, in the Australian outback, played by a rugged Guy Pearce, who is robbed of his one worldly possession in a time of loose lawfulness makes his mission to chase and hunt down the very men who stole from him using one of their own, played by a thuggish Robert Pattinson. And when they get there, there's nothing Eric won't do for his goddamn car.

Porchlight Films/A24

See: Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger (June 27)

Skip: Transformers: Age of Extinction

Following the trial of the notorious and gruesome gangster known as Whitey, the documentary captures the reactions and stories of people who witnessed and heard of James J. Bulger and his clever operations as one of America’s most unwanted criminals for 25 years, a guy who did some of the worst things but never had so much as a parking ticket. Rumors of Whitey Bulger’s corrupt relationship with the FBI and speculation as to suspicious information in his files lead people to believe Whitey could get away with anything, thanks to the government’s secret task force, that is, until he was arrested.

See: Whitey: United States of America v. James J. Bulger (June 27)

Skip: Transformers: Age of Extinction

Following the trial of the notorious and gruesome gangster known as Whitey, the documentary captures the reactions and stories of people who witnessed and heard of James J. Bulger and his clever operations as one of America’s most unwanted criminals for 25 years, a guy who did some of the worst things but never had so much as a parking ticket. Rumors of Whitey Bulger’s corrupt relationship with the FBI and speculation as to suspicious information in his files lead people to believe Whitey could get away with anything, thanks to the government’s secret task force, that is, until he was arrested.

CNN Films

See: A Hard Day’s Night (July 4)

Skip: Your annual local fireworks display

Your favorite British boys are back on the big screen with a 50th anniversary re-release of their clever “A Hard Day’s Night” film. The restored version will hit theaters on the Fourth of July, in time to ditch American pride and celebrate the one good thing we try our best to steal from England. Set in the early years of The Beatles, come along to get a look the goofy antics of John, Paul, George and their drummer and some great tunes from one of the ‘60s and rock history’s best music.

See: A Hard Day’s Night (July 4)

Skip: Your annual local fireworks display

Your favorite British boys are back on the big screen with a 50th anniversary re-release of their clever “A Hard Day’s Night” film. The restored version will hit theaters on the Fourth of July, in time to ditch American pride and celebrate the one good thing we try our best to steal from England. Set in the early years of The Beatles, come along to get a look the goofy antics of John, Paul, George and their drummer and some great tunes from one of the ‘60s and rock history’s best music.

Proscenium Films/United Artists/Miramax

See: Boyhood (July 11)

See Along With: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

One of the most unique and highly anticipated films is the story of a boy growing up, going through the same trials as most boys do, only the story uses the same boy, Ella Coltrain in a breakthrough performance, throughout 12 years of its filming. Starring Ethan Hawke since his "Training Day"(s) and Patricia Arquette as the boy's parents, we get to witness the birth of a new style of filming that helps viewers get to know and like the characters more genuinely.

See: Boyhood (July 11)

See Along With: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

One of the most unique and highly anticipated films is the story of a boy growing up, going through the same trials as most boys do, only the story uses the same boy, Ella Coltrain in a breakthrough performance, throughout 12 years of its filming. Starring Ethan Hawke since his "Training Day"(s) and Patricia Arquette as the boy's parents, we get to witness the birth of a new style of filming that helps viewers get to know and like the characters more genuinely.

IFC Films

See: Wish I Were Here (July 18)

See Before: I Origins

The big movie to catch during a down weekend in summer blockbusters is the highly anticipated (Sundance) feel-good Zach Braff co-written and directed film starring Braff, Kate Hudson and Jim Parsons about a thirty something actor who has a lot to figure out and in the process of homeschooling and adventuring with his two kids, his baby mama (Hudson) and his friends and family, he learns a lot of himself and, of course, in a "Garden State" kind of way, about life as well.

See: Wish I Were Here (July 18)

See Before: I Origins

The big movie to catch during a down weekend in summer blockbusters is the highly anticipated (Sundance) feel-good Zach Braff co-written and directed film starring Braff, Kate Hudson and Jim Parsons about a thirty something actor who has a lot to figure out and in the process of homeschooling and adventuring with his two kids, his baby mama (Hudson) and his friends and family, he learns a lot of himself and, of course, in a "Garden State" kind of way, about life as well.

Double Feature Films/Focus Features

See: A Most Wanted Man (July 25)

Skip: Hercules

If you missed Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance in the small-time spring hit "God's Pocket," you can catch him in another final role alongside Willem Dafoe and Rachel McAdams in a sophisticated film, based on the John le Carre novel, following an illegal Muslim immigrant who wanders into a war on terror. Hoffman plays a ruthless, brooding Russian making big decisions in a time sensitive matter for the most wanted man.

See: A Most Wanted Man (July 25)

Skip: Hercules

If you missed Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance in the small-time spring hit "God's Pocket," you can catch him in another final role alongside Willem Dafoe and Rachel McAdams in a sophisticated film, based on the John le Carre novel, following an illegal Muslim immigrant who wanders into a war on terror. Hoffman plays a ruthless, brooding Russian making big decisions in a time sensitive matter for the most wanted man.

Demarest Films/Lionsgate

See: Magic in the Moonlight (July 25)

Skip: Sex Tape (unless it turns out Cameron Diaz actually gets naked)

Any fans of “Midnight in Paris” and “Blue Jasmine” will dig on this quiet, new romantic comedy created by Woody Allen about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle where both personal and professional complications ensue. The film, starring Colin Firth and Emma Stone, will hit theaters in late July, though no official trailers have been released.

See: Magic in the Moonlight (July 25)

Skip: Sex Tape (unless it turns out Cameron Diaz actually gets naked)

Any fans of “Midnight in Paris” and “Blue Jasmine” will dig on this quiet, new romantic comedy created by Woody Allen about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle where both personal and professional complications ensue. The film, starring Colin Firth and Emma Stone, will hit theaters in late July, though no official trailers have been released.

Jack English/Perdido Productions/Sony Pictures

See: Get On Up (August 1)

See Just Before: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

From the director of "The Help" we get to see a young, troubled James Brown get on up as the "Godfather of soul." Dating back to his boyhood years, working up through his rebellious adolescence and time in jail, we watch the story of James Brown like we've never seen with a lot of sweet singing and fancy footwork. The biopic stars Chadwick Boseman of "42" as the poverty-stricken Brown who climbs his way to the musical hall of fame.

See: Get On Up (August 1)

See Just Before: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

From the director of "The Help" we get to see a young, troubled James Brown get on up as the "Godfather of soul." Dating back to his boyhood years, working up through his rebellious adolescence and time in jail, we watch the story of James Brown like we've never seen with a lot of sweet singing and fancy footwork. The biopic stars Chadwick Boseman of "42" as the poverty-stricken Brown who climbs his way to the musical hall of fame.